Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G vs. Honor X9c Review: Mid-range Heavyweights Go Head-to-Head

Honor and Redmi are often at the forefront of consumer choices when searching for a reliable mid-range smartphone. Recently, both brands released compelling new models: the Honor X9c and the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G. These smartphones offer impressive hardware and exciting features that compete directly in their price range.

In this comparison, we’ll put them head-to-head to see which one stands out as the better choice for you. Will the Redmi Note 14 Pro dominate with flagship-level features, or does the Honor X9c win with its unique design and battery prowess? Let’s find out.

Design & Build Quality

Both devices embrace a sleek, modern aesthetic, featuring curved back panels and centrally-aligned camera islands. The Honor X9c opts for a circular camera module, creating a visually distinctive look that clearly differentiates it from other mid-range smartphones. Our review unit, in the striking Jade Sand finish, delivers an elegant marble-like appearance that immediately sets it apart.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro, however, uses a square-shaped camera island, more traditional and arguably less adventurous. Initially, we believed the Redmi to have a premium frosted-glass finish, but further inspection revealed it’s made from polycarbonate—a robust yet cost-effective choice. This design pairs nicely with its aluminum frame, providing a solid and premium feel.

Durability-wise, the Honor X9c boasts an impressive five-star drop resistance certification from SGS Switzerland, paired with an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 14 Pro one-ups this by providing a flagship-level IP68 rating, meaning it can withstand submersion of up to 1.5 meters underwater for up to 30 minutes.

While design preference is subjective, the superior water and dust resistance rating gives the Redmi Note 14 Pro the edge here, especially for those concerned about accidental water exposure.

Software & Updates

Both smartphones run Android 14, with Honor’s MagicOS 8.0 and Xiaomi’s HyperOS 1 skins layered on top. These custom skins offer distinct user experiences, with Xiaomi’s HyperOS known for feature-rich options and MagicOS being slightly cleaner and simpler.

Xiaomi transparently promises three years of major OS updates and four years of security patches. Unfortunately, Honor hasn’t yet specified its software update policy clearly, creating uncertainty regarding long-term software support.

Considering transparency and assured future updates, the Redmi Note 14 Pro claims victory in this critical category, giving users peace of mind about software longevity.

Connectivity & Extras

Connectivity features on both devices include essentials like 5G, NFC, and dual-band Wi-Fi. Redmi pulls ahead with advanced features such as Wi-Fi 6, eSIM support, and an IR blaster for remote control functionalities—features notably absent on the Honor X9c.

This additional connectivity versatility solidifies another win for the Redmi Note 14 Pro in this segment, appealing to tech-savvy users who value these extra conveniences.

Display & Multimedia

Both phones feature stunning curved AMOLED displays. The Redmi Note 14 Pro houses a vibrant 6.66-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, peaking at 3,000 nits of brightness. Meanwhile, the Honor X9c has a slightly larger 6.78-inch AMOLED display, also with 120Hz refresh rate but pushing even brighter at 4,000 nits peak brightness in HDR mode. Both displays offer a sharp 1.5K resolution, ensuring crisp visuals and vivid colors.

In terms of screen durability, Redmi equips its phone with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering robust protection from scratches and accidental drops. Honor counters with its own double-tempered glass solution, still sturdy but arguably not as renowned as Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

 

Audio-wise, Redmi takes the lead again with dual stereo speakers featuring Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support, delivering a richer multimedia experience. The Honor X9c also includes dual speakers but lacks these premium sound and display enhancements.

Ultimately, both smartphones offer fantastic displays suitable for media consumption, gaming, and everyday use. However, thanks to superior multimedia enhancements, the Redmi Note 14 Pro slightly edges out the Honor X9c.

Performance & Chipset

Under the hood, the Redmi Note 14 Pro is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 Ultra, delivering impressive benchmark results across various tests. Conversely, the Honor X9c packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, a capable mid-range chipset, but somewhat behind MediaTek’s option in raw benchmarks.

During our tests, the Redmi consistently showed slightly superior graphics performance, handling demanding tasks with better efficiency. The Honor X9c, however, showcased faster internal storage read/write speeds, leading to quicker app launches and smoother file transfers.

Real-world usage paints a different picture: Both phones handle daily tasks like web browsing, social media, and multitasking seamlessly. Casual gamers will find both devices perfectly capable, although heavy gaming enthusiasts might prefer the Redmi’s more powerful GPU.

In this category, the benchmarks favor the Redmi Note 14 Pro, but practical differences in day-to-day use are negligible.

.

Camera Quality & Features

The Redmi Note 14 Pro boasts a triple rear camera system featuring a massive 200MP primary sensor equipped with OIS, alongside an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 5MP macro camera. On the other hand, the Honor X9c uses a simpler dual-camera setup with a 108MP primary sensor and a 5MP ultra-wide camera.

Surprisingly, despite the hardware advantage, the Redmi Note 14 Pro’s photos occasionally appeared slightly washed out compared to the richer colors and sharper images from the Honor X9c. Both phones perform similarly well in good lighting conditions, capturing decent detail and acceptable dynamic range.

Video performance is solid on both devices, recording up to 4K resolution at 30fps. Stabilization is handled effectively due to the presence of OIS in both models, producing smooth footage even when handheld.

While Redmi offers additional versatility thanks to its macro lens, real-world differences are minor. For casual photography, both phones deliver very comparable results, making this round a tie.

Battery & Charging

The Honor X9c confidently shines in battery life, equipped with a hefty 6,600mAh silicon-carbon battery—impressively housed in its slim 7.98mm body. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 14 Pro features a smaller but still respectable 5,110mAh battery.

Battery endurance clearly favors the Honor X9c, lasting over 15 hours in PCMark’s battery test, versus 13 hours for the Redmi. This significant two-hour lead translates into real-world longevity, ensuring a worry-free full day (or more) of usage.

Charging speed is another victory for the Honor X9c, with a 66W fast charging capability compared to Redmi’s slightly slower 45W charging. Overall, battery performance and charging speeds place the Honor X9c clearly ahead in this crucial segment.

Pricing & Value

Price often decides consumer choices, and here Honor plays its trump card. The Honor X9c arrives at an attractive $293, undercutting the Redmi Note 14 Pro’s slightly higher price tag of $310 (for the 256GB variant).

Given the impressive battery capacity, unique design, and competitive performance, the Honor X9c offers compelling value for money, making it highly attractive to budget-conscious consumers.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro vs Honor X9c “Pros And Cons”:

Pros

• Flagship-Level Durability: The Redmi Note 14 Pro offers an IP68 rating, allowing it to withstand submersion underwater up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, a feature rare in this price range.
• Impressive Display Quality: Both phones boast excellent 120Hz AMOLED displays with vibrant colors, great brightness, and immersive visuals ideal for gaming and multimedia.
• Outstanding Battery Life (Honor X9c): The Honor X9c’s huge 6,600mAh silicon-carbon battery offers superior longevity, easily lasting a full day or more with heavy usage.
• Fast Charging (Honor X9c): Honor X9c features ultra-fast 66W charging, significantly reducing wait times to get a full battery.
• Solid Performance for Price: Both the Redmi Note 14 Pro’s Dimensity 7300 Ultra and the Honor X9c’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 handle multitasking and gaming well, providing great value for mid-range users.
• Reliable Camera Setups: Cameras on both devices deliver quality photos and stable 4K videos, meeting most users’ casual photography needs.

Cons

• Generic Design (Redmi Note 14 Pro): Despite solid build quality, the Redmi Note 14 Pro’s design feels less innovative and somewhat generic compared to the Honor X9c’s unique aesthetic.
• Unclear Software Support (Honor X9c): Unlike Redmi, Honor hasn’t disclosed clear details on long-term software update commitments, which could worry users looking for prolonged OS support.
• No Advanced Connectivity (Honor X9c): The Honor X9c lacks extras like Wi-Fi 6, eSIM compatibility, and IR blaster—features available on the Redmi Note 14 Pro.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G and the Honor X9c ultimately depends on your priorities:

• Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G: Ideal for users looking for flagship-like features, such as IP68 water resistance, superior multimedia experience (Dolby enhancements), higher performance, advanced connectivity, and reliable software support.
• Honor X9c: Perfect for those valuing unique and attractive aesthetics, exceptional battery performance and faster charging, competitive camera performance, and a more budget-friendly price.

Both phones excel in their own right, but we’d recommend the Redmi Note 14 Pro for tech enthusiasts craving flagship-level features in a mid-range package, whereas the Honor X9c is highly suited for users prioritizing battery longevity, fast charging, and cost savings.

In this tight battle, the choice is yours—are you team Honor or team Redmi? Share your thoughts with us below!